No time for party affairs as I am busy with my constituency: G.T. Deve Gowda

MLA and former Minister G.T. Deve Gowda on Wednesday said that he has remained focused on his constituency and has not been active in party affairs, as there are numerous issues that require his continued attention and intervention.

“I have stayed neutral within the party. I am fully occupied with addressing the grievances of people in my constituency. It’s a large area, and several matters need to be handled on a regular basis. Therefore, I have confined myself to the work of Chamundeshwari constituency and stayed away from party matters,” the MLA told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr. Gowda chaired a meeting of officials regarding the development of the Chamundeshwari constituency. Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy and other senior district officials were present.

When asked why he has distanced himself from the JD(S) despite being its senior-most MLA, Mr. Gowda said his focus has solely been on his constituency. “Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah know how I built the JD(S) in the region. So, the question of me being sidelined doesn’t arise,” he said.

Responding to another question on whether his strength was being underutilised by the party, he remarked, “The party remembers me whenever there is an election.”

He added that the JD(S) and the BJP are in alliance, and leaders of both parties are working to strengthen their respective organisations. “The parties are together, with Nikhil Kumaraswamy building the JD(S) and B.Y. Vijayendra building the BJP,” he said, answering a question on the alliance post-Lok Sabha polls.

When asked whether the recent court verdict on former MP Prajwal Revanna would impact the party’s image, Mr. Gowda said, “The issue is old. The court verdict has come now. We had already clarified the matter much earlier when I was heading the party’s core committee. Mr. Kumaraswamy (Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy) has also responded on the issue in the past.”